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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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016 215 121 6 e 



Hollinger Corp. 
pH 8.5 



PS 635 
.29 
E136 
Copy 1 



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"The Mysterious Arm" 

A Playlet in One Act— One Scene 

By 

C. E. EARLL. < 
Unpublished Dramatic Composition. 
(Copyrighted, 1913, by C. E. Earll, Erie, Pa.) 



: 3 



PROPERTIES. 1<\& 

Two chairs, table, stand, imitation shot gun, two toy pis- 
tols, imitation bomb, bottles, glasses, tray, swords, set boxing- 
gloves, two of each to suit scene color, telephones, etc., etc. 

DESCRIPTION OE BACK SCENE. 

Back built double, holes, doors, windows, moon, clock, 
animals, trees and various grotesque figures cut through first 
partition. Second partition set 20 inches back of first section, 
both being of same color, object cut in first section are not dis- 
cernable, except when canvas blind of different color is placed 
between them, viz: Take three pieces paper, two white and 
one black, cut any design through one white one. Lay de- 
sign on black sheet, black sheet on other white one. Design 
shows plainly. Quickly draw black paper and design disap- 
pears. Designs may be introduced at will of player by releas- 
ing blind or vice versa. 

CAST. 

Dick Earle Vaudeville manager and practical joker 

"Bud" Brown Would become an actor, but 

Bess ) 

> Out of sight 

May j te 

DESCRIPTION OF SETTING. 

Right side of stage, including back, drop, wings and floor 
covering, colored black. 

Eeft side white. Note — Any two colors of extreme 
, shades may be used. Black and white used here for conven- 
ience. 

COSTUMES AND FACIAL MAKE-UP. 

"Dick"— Right side of hat, face, coat, trousers, and one 
shoe black. Left side white. 

"Bud"— Exact opposite of "Dick." 

'Bess" — Face and entire costume, white, except right 
arm, 3 inches above elbow. 

"May" — Exact opposite of Bess. 

D 33625 V THP96-M7251 



THE MYSTERIOUS ARM" 



Characters to be designated thus : 

"Dick" (D), "Bud" (Bu), "Bess" (Be), "May" (M). 

Curtain rises to (music). 

(Music) stops instantly, as blind is released, showing (D) 
who walks quickly up stage. Assumes dramatic pose. "La- 
dies and gentlemen, I am about to expose to your view, my 
masterpiece, the result of my life work (becomes vehement). I 
have toiled night and day burning midnight oil and, At last ! 
At last ! my efforts are crowned with success." Presses button 
in wall, releasing blind, showing (Bu) in fighting attitude. 
"See, is it not magnificent? I have named it, "The New White 
Hope." During following unseen by (Bu) lights cigarette, 
scratches head, etc., taking care to assume pose when (D) 
turns head). And in it my hopes are laid, not for filthy lucre, 
that deafens the ear to the pleadings of poverty, that turns 
the heart to stone, but for Fame ! Fame is all I ask. To prove 
it : I will present at the close of our engagement here, this 
wonderful work of art to the most beautiful lady in your 

city." And " as (Bu) gets clown, "Well, I'll be (Bu) 

"Jiggered" (advancing). 

(D) Jiggered, is right; you'll make a swell actor, you will. 
you big boob. You wanted to learn the ropes and when I put 
you on the real thing you queer the whole works at over- 
ture. Suppose we had an audience here — they (Bu) inter- 
rupts (Bu) Well, ain't it bad enough to be all stuck up with 
paint and dressed up like a jack-in-the-box, without standing 
there fighting nobody for a half an hour ? 

(D) I was nearly through, you Rube. 



(Bu) Why didn't you say so? Well, if I can't act, I can 
sing. 

(D) Show me ; if you can make good, go to it. 

(Bu) (goes down stage) piano "Where's my wandering 
boy tonight?'' Bu sings in strained voice. 

(D) (yells) "Police" (music stops instantly) grabs (Bu) 
rushes him up stage, (Bu) (still singing) places him in centre 
at where scene colors meet, Bu stops singing — (plaintively). 

* "Must 1 die?" (music "Meditation") and I ain't a full- 
grown man. 

(D) "Yes." 

(Bu) "Can't I have just a few moments' respite?" 

(D) "What for?" 

(Bu) "To bid that bartender a last good-bye?" 

(D) (tragically) "Enough? I'll (wipes away tear) not 
grow chicken-hearted in the face of duty, remember. You 
sang (gets sword) "One," "Two," "Three," rushes at (Bu) 
(Be) (springs blinds) Bu disappears. (D) (laughs loudly) Bu. 
appears, suddenly at window, gets down in half in fear and 
anger, makes for (D) who produces gloves. They then pro- 
ceed to box when on right or left side of curtain, only one 
•hand of each boxer is visible, gloves colored same as curtain 
(Bu) (knocked out) "Help!" I've killed him. (Enter Bess) 
with white, bottle milk, gives to (Bu) who lies prostrate, soon 
revives (Exit) (D) and (Be) (opposite doors. (Bu) looks be- 
wildered. "I'll bet I was run over by an automobile and I 
didn't get his number." (sees gloves). "No, that shrimp 
slammed me." (Rises, starts to door). "Revenge!" Nearly 
collides with (D), who says, "Where to?" 

"Revenge!" (exit hastily.) 

(D) : "Sore, eh? Well, he'll come out of it. He's a pretty 
good fellow and means no harm. Believe I'll sign him, but he 
couldn't get by (nearest small town) with that singing. 



"I have an idea." Blind released telephone appears (bell 
ring's) (Answer) "Hello !" 

(D) "That yon May?" 

(M) "Y-e-s." 

(D) "I have an amateur tip here; suppose we get Bess 
and reahearse the 'Mysterious Arm' act for his benefit. 

(M) "I'm on." (bell rings.) 

May enters right side, approaches center, taking care to 
hide right arm. 

(Bess) enters left side, same instructions. 

(D) walks to center. "We'll break him in. what say yon, 
girls?" 

(B and M together) "We will." 
(D) "Shake." 

Both extend right hand across center of line, taking care 
not to move body that any part may be seen. Both girls "out 
of sight" except right arm, which does stunts. 

"Now, get busy." Both girls wave colored arm aloft, 
down to floor, zig zag fashion; etc., and hide arm and exit. 

(D) "Gee, but I'm hungry." (Sits down at table.) Taps 
bell. Enter (M) who wipes table, arranges dishes, etc., white 
arm. 

(D) "Is everything ready?" 

(M) "Yes." 

(D) (in changed voice): "Six half naked bivalves, a bowl 
chips and one up." (Exit M) meaning, six oysters on half 
shell, bowl cereal, and glass beer. (Aside) "Say, I wish this 
was the real thing. I'm hungry enough to eat a dead dog with 
the smallpox." (Enter Bu drunk); perceived by (D), who 
says: "Well, I've seen it twice tonight, and I believe I am yet 
to lose all my gold." (Bu) stops, points to forehead, shows imi- 
tation bomb, containing long fuse, staggers up to the table 



(enter (M) carrying dishes.) (Bu) mystified at arm working 
without seeing body. (D) continues, "But in the morning I'll' 
hire the best detective in town." (Proceeds to eat.) 

(Bu) "I'll save you the trouble." (Unheard by (D) places 
bomb under chair, lights fuse. "Goodnight" (runs back) fuse 
sputters and goes out. (Bu) cautiously approaches, noise made 
in wings startles him several times. He picks up bomb and 
throws out in wings, sounds of crashing glass and rumblings 
are heard. 

(D) (jumps to feet. (Bu hides) resumes seat at table). 

"I must have been mistaken. I am all nerves since I saw 
it." 

(Bu) "Saw what?" (wonderingly.) 

i 
CD) (pretending he was not aware of Bu's presence before.) 

"Hello, Bud, I see you've had revenge." 

(Bu) "Huh?" 

(D) "Got soused, pickled, stewed; you're drunk. And 
look! 12 o'clock and you just coming in." (Clock appears, 
hands points to 6; as Bu looks clock disappears, reappears 
few feet away.) 

(Bu) "Somethin' wrong around here." 

(D) "There is something wrong with you. "One too 
many.". (Bu) ("sees things" on back curtain.) "I must be 
drunk." 

(D) "Can you shoot when you're drunk?" 

(Bu) "Bettern. sober. Target appears, produces pistols. 

(D) Shoots three times ; three bells. 

(Bu) shoots once, no bell; second shot, bell rings continu- 
ously. Both look at each other. (D) turns. (Bu) stands staring 
at target ; shoots again. Bell stops. Target disappears. "This 
place is haunted." (D laughs.) 

(Arm appears) (Bu.) "What's that?" (frightened.) 



(D) "What's what?" 

(Bit) "Didn't you see it?" 

(D) "No, I never drink anything- stronger than water." 

(Bu) (Arm on other side appears) "There it is again." 

(D) (confidingly) "Take a cup of black coffee." (leads 
Bu. to table) Taps bell, enter May, with tray. 

"Strong cup coffee." (Exit May). 

(Bu) "That arm was here again." 

(D) "There, there. Bud, your coffee will be here in a 
minute." (soothingly.) (Enter May) (arm concealed) 

(Bu) "How'd that coffee get here?" 

(D) "The waiter brought it." (Bu drinks.) 

(Bu) "I didn't see any waiter." (Enter May, removes 
cup and saucer.) 

(D) "I must leave you for a few minutes. When I come 
back we will make up our contract. I will engage you at $ro.oo 
per." (Exit Bu). 

(Bu) "Perhaps you will and perhaps you won't. I don't 

like this monkey-business. I there's that arm again." 

(Pulls gun, shoots at arm.) (Other work may be introduced 
here.) Enter (D) "How do you think you'll like the show 
business, Bud?" 

(Bu) "If this is the show business, Em going back to 
(competitive town) on my milk wagon." 

(Enter Bess) (D) "Remove the gentleman's hat! Bring 
pen, ink and paper!" (Bess does so, arm concealed) "Now, 
write, 'I will join the Mysterious Arm Co., at $10.00 per 
week.' " 

(Bu) "But I don't want to join no show." 

(D) "That's what you came here for." 

(Bu) "I did—" 



JUN 17 1913 \- 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

IllllllllllllllUlllIlI 

016 215 121 6 



(Bu) "I won't." 

(D) "Then (hands Bu. gun) die." (Walks down stage." 

(Bu) (scared) (business) walks down slowly. 

(D) "Back to back!" 

(Bu) does as told. 

(D) "Forward three paces, then fire ! One ; Two ; 
Three!" 

(Bu) Keeps on going, gets shot gun (imitation) comes 
back, crack of pistol, and (D) supposed to be killed) May and 
Bess enter quickly. Both to (Bu) "He's dead." (Bu) (sad- 
ly) "That arm did it." 

(D) (rises) (All three laugh, gather around (Bu) who 
is thunderstruck. 

(D) "Ain't he the limit," turning to (Bu), say, Cul, you're 
just the guy I need. Join us and name your salary." 

(Bu) (timidly) "I thought you was dead." 

(D) "No, we were only having our daily rehearsal of the 
'Mysterious Arm.' " 



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